WOMAD

Heatwave

From United Kingdom

The Heatwave DJs have been playing together for five years, three of those as Heatwave. Their residencies include flagship night Heatwave @ Rhythm Factory, the world-renowned Off Centre @ 333, Scandal Bag @ Gramaphone and Dubloaded @ The Croft (Bristol) - plus guest regular appearances all over London and the UK. Heatwave have played alongside stars like Buju Banton, Klashnekoff, Jammer, No Lay, Coldcut, The Bug, J Star and DJ Vadim - juggling dancehall/bashment, reggaeton, R'n'B, reggae, soca, ragga jungle, desi beats and grime in their crowd-pleasing DJ sets. Heatwave remixes - including the chart-topping re-rub of Kelis's Trick Me - are released on the Punchline label and have got heavy radio and club play from top DJs like David Rodigan (Kiss FM), Gilles Peterson (Radio 1), Mr Scruff, Seani B (BBC 1xtra), Daddy Ernie (Choice FM), 100% Dynamite and Solid Steel (Ninja Tune). Their latest refix, Freaky Toma, the flip side to Daddy G's remix of Welcome to Jamrock, has followed previous releases in mashing up dancefloors from Jamaica to Japan and America to Australia. Heatwave also run the Scandal Bag label. The label's second release, Let It Billie by DJ C & Quality Diamond, was featured on numerous specialist shows on Radio 1 plus Kiss 100 and Resonance FM and received heavy club support from DJs like Ross Allen, 100% Dynamite and DJ /Rupture. It was an instant sell-out on its first press in August. Forthcoming on Scandal Bag are the Doosra and Ento riddims, featuring voicings from Riko, Yungun, Suncycle and Warrior Queen plus Heatwave MCs Quality Diamond and Rubi Dan. Heatwave MCs Rubi Dan and Quality Diamond are both top quality party hosts and exciting artists in their own right, having recorded with Sizzla, Eek-A-Mouse, Sidestepper and Sugar Minott. Diamond also recently supported Beenie Man and Capleton in the UK. Heatwave have also just put together a compilation CD - Reggaeton Sessions - for Union Square Music, featuring Puerto Rico's hottest sounds (due out Spring 2006). Heatwave have done much to pioneer the reggaeton sound in London - expect a mix of classic tunes and unreleased heat from links in Puerto Rico, New York and Miami.